Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection (Switch) Review

Get the knife

Capcom’s Ghost ‘n Goblins franchise triggers two core things in me whenever I think about it: that eerie music and my impending doom from its extreme difficulty. I spent hours just trying to conquer one level of these games. They are brutally hard, but that never stopped me from loving every second of them. Capcom has decided to bring back the series with the original director for Nintendo’s latest console. The result is a mix of pain and frustration with a little nuance added in for good measure.

Every game in this series has its share of trappings. Resurrection is no different in that it immediately feels like a Ghost ‘n Goblins game. From the level layout and design to the music blaring this series has always had a certain flavor. Right from the jump the game is also extremely difficult. This time around though the developers have added difficulty options for players. I love this idea, but the fact that the easy one doesn’t allow players to actually finish the game is kind of archaic. We get it, you need to “git gud” but in this day and age of accessibility it feels like gatekeeping.

MSRP: $29.99
Platforms: Switch
Price I’d Pay: $29.99

Still, the levels of difficulty are fair. Checkpoints have been added, and for those that want the brutal experience there is a one life mode. The developers knew that the game was known for its difficulty and leaned into it. Each level also has a branch. You can choose which area you want to run through, and of course revisiting levels is encouraged. There is a heft of a game here to tackle, all with plenty of familiar enemies and tests of patience for fans of the series.

Game play is classic Ghosts ‘n Goblins with a slight twist. Our hero Arthur can wield a variety of weapons, but only one at a time. That is until I managed to collect enough umbral bees in order to upgrade his abilities. Yes, this is a G’nG game with a skill tree. While it sounds obvious it also sounds ridiculous, but it works. These skills range from things such as magic attacks to being able to carry a multitude of weapons. It enhances the core game play just enough without messing with the formula. It is balanced out nicely. This does not however make the game a cakewalk. It is still extremely difficult to complete every level, and of course collect every upgrade.

Arthur still controls awkwardly. Jumping and movement have a distinct flow that takes some time to get used to. It will also lead to numerous deaths. What I loved is that each stage changes things up just enough to keep it fresh. There are platform areas, constantly moving levels, and much more. There is never a chance to take a break in the action. The main game lasted about five hours, but there are reasons to return including higher difficulties, collecting more skill points, and eventually shadow versions of levels, which change enemy placement and are much more difficult.

The look of the game is a mixed bag. While I enjoy the crisp visuals, the animation threw me off. Everyone looks like a marionette in a stage play. Classic enemies are updated with HD visuals, but their movement threw me off. I got used to it after a while and ended up actually enjoying it, but your mileage may vary. The game runs at a smooth 60fps most of the time with only minor dips down into the 50s at times. Overall, the combination of classic music and sharp visuals is a treat for fans of the original.

Resurrection also features a first for the series in the form of two-player co-op. Sadly the feature is only available locally so testing it out in today’s climate was a challenge. I did manage to get a few sessions in and think of it as more of a helpful tool. The second player is relegated to protecting and helping Arthur by shielding him from attacks or helping him across areas. It reminds me of other Nintendo co-op modes where one player is essentially acting as a power-up. There is not a place for two Arthurs in this world.

Ghost ‘n Goblins Resurrection is a great modernization of one of Capcom’s cult classic titles. Being a fan of the originals, it was a treat to ride down memory lane. Especially since I revisit this series multiple times a year and we haven’t had a true 2D entry in quite some time. I do wish the game would come to more consoles and PC as it is currently only available on Switch, but perhaps that is a future plan. As it stands Switch owners who grew up with the originals should definitely check this out, if you don’t have nostalgia for the series though, this game might just feel like yet another difficult platformer that has yet to get with the times.

Review copy of game provided by publisher.

Good
  • Stellar music
  • Art style grew on me
  • Mostly holds 60 fps
Bad
  • Severely punishing
  • Can't see ending on easy
7.5
Good
Written by
Ken is the Editor-in-Chief of this hole in the wall and he loves to troll for the fun of it. He also enjoys long walks through Arkham Asylum and the cool air of Shadow Moses Island. His turn-ons include Mortal Kombat, Metal Gear Solid and StarCraft.